Jeddah Airport logs 9% growth in passenger numbers in 2025

Passenger numbers at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah rose by 8.9% in the first 11 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, reflecting the growing appeal of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea gateway.

The airport handled a record 48 million passengers between January and November 2025, while aircraft movements increased by 8.2% to reach 273,700 flights, according to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

KAIA’s busiest operational day in the first half of the year was 5 April, when around 178,000 passengers passed through the airport. In the second half, the peak was recorded on 20 November, managing more than 176,800 passengers — a 9.6% year-on-year increase.

The rise in traffic is driven by recent terminal upgrades, operational enhancements and expanded airline networks improving connectivity.

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Flag carrier Saudia launched new routes from Jeddah to Athens, Vienna and Guangzhou, and low-cost carrier Flyadeal added services to Baku, Sharm El Sheikh and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Additionally, Flynas and Air Cairo have increased regional frequencies across the GCC and North Africa, strengthening KAIA’s position as a major hub for both leisure and religious travel.

Rising visitor arrivals to Jeddah

Jeddah continues to benefit from multiple demand sources, including religious tourism tied to Umrah and Hajj, increasing leisure arrivals via the Saudi Cruise Port at Jeddah Islamic Port, and growing interest in its cultural heritage and Red Sea attractions. More international cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Celestyal and Nicko Cruises, have added Jeddah to their Red Sea and wider regional programmes, bringing greater visitor volumes through both fly-cruise and turnaround operations.